Girls' Soccer 2011

Dream Season Ends
with State Championship

The Summit girls’ soccer team lost the Miami Valley championship on the last game of the season losing to rival CCD 1-0. Perhaps it was this loss that propelled the team to make a historical run in the state tournament capturing the first district title since 1998, a first ever regional title and the programs first state title on November 12th, 2011. The season had a few lows—regular season, 1-0 losses to Madeira and CCD were both painful, but important lessons for the team. The loss of Bryce Hueber to a season ending ACL tear in the eighth game was an emotionally devastating experience for Bryce, her family and the team. But it served to refocus the team and redefine player roles.

But the season proved to have many more ups than downs. Fourteen players earned at least their second varsity letter and nine earned their initial varsity letter. A total of twenty-six players dressed and played in varsity matches. Ellie Adams celebrated her return to the field after missing the first 14 games recovering from ACL surgery. Other great moments from the season included a season opening win against Indian Hill, a dominating second half of play at Wyoming, playing amongst the sprinklers at Madison, traveling to Columbus on the blue bus, dominating Wellington and attending the Crew game, an amazing series of five goals scored in nine minutes against Norwood a second shutout of Mariemont in consecutive seasons, and then the lifetime of memories created during the tournament run.

The state title run ignited the entire Summit community with several campus wide celebrations including pep rallies, a send-off to state and a returning victory walk. Fan support from parents, faculty, students and alumni often numbering in the hundreds in attendance. The Lower School students sent the team to state with hand written letters and the soccer alumnae sent emails of support. The season truly became a community rally and one that the members of the team will never forget.

Multiple Team and Individual Records Set

Seven team records were set: games played (24), wins (19), goals (83), assists
(75), points (241), PK pct. (1.000), and shutouts (12). Four individual career records were set: games played (Sarah Oltman 80), goals (Elizabeth Williams 49, tied with Tess Akgunduz ‘10), multiple goal games (Williams 15), and goals against average (Liz Arnold 0.66). Two individual season records were set: shutouts (Arnold 12), wins (Arnold 19). Five individual season records by class were set: junior goals (Williams 19), sophomore assists (Meredith Schertzinger 12), junior points (Williams 46), senior shutouts (Arnold 12), and senior wins (Arnold 19).

Academic Awards
While the on-field honors have been impressive and plentiful, they pale in
comparison to the academic awards the team has accumulated. Players and the entire team have been recognized at local, state and national levels. At the local level, thirteen varsity team members were named all-Southwest academic: Sophie Adams, Liz Arnold, Mary Bathon, Ellie Cooney, Izzie Englehart, Sheila Eustace, Mary Meyer, Sarah Oltman, Melissa Saele, Meredith Schertzinger, Elizabeth Williams, Katie Voytek, Sara-Kate Wiser. These 13 follow 11 in 2003, 13 in 2004, 11 in 2005, 10 in 2006, 11 in 2007 and 10 in 2008, 12 in 2009, and a record 15 in 2010. This totals 106 recipients in the past nine seasons. Additionally, five of the seniors above were recognized as scholar athletes by the state of Ohio: Liz Arnold, Mary Bathon, Sarah Oltman, Katie Voytek and SK Wiser. The six seniors make 45 recognized by the state in the past ten years.

The state of Ohio recognized the varsity team for the tenth consecutive year with the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The 2011 varsity squad had a GPA of 3.69.

On the national level, Liz Arnold is awaiting word on her nomination for Scholar All-American. The only athlete with this distinction was Marissa Bodnar who was named following the 2006 season.

The 2010 varsity squad (3.97 GPA) was honored with the NSCAA Team Academic Award. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has been presented to Summit for seven consecutive years.

District, State and Regional Awards

The Summit Lady Knights were well represented on the district team. Four athletes were recognized for their contributions during the 2011 season. Senior keeper Liz Arnold, junior forward Elizabeth Williams, sophomore forward Meredith Schertzinger and junior midfielder Melissa Saele were all named All-Southwest Ohio. This was the second commendation for Elizabeth who was named 1st team in 2010. The four all district players are the most in school history and the most since three were named in 1998. The four all-district nods this season now number 49 in the past seventeen years for Summit athletes under Coach Fee. No other school in Southwest Ohio had four players named to the team. Elizabeth followed up her successful season with a mention on the all-Ohio team being named to the 2nd team. She is the first all-state honoree since Tess Akgunduz in 2009 and only the eighth player overall since 1994. Tess followed that up by being named District IV All-Region, the highest honor ever for a player from Summit. Others named all–state were Jill Garlesky (1994), Lindsey Peck (1996), Caitlin
Hughes (1997), Jenni Leiter (2002), Marissa Bodnar (2005), and Tess Akgunduz (2008, 2009).

MVC Awards

The Lady Knights fared well in the Miami Valley Conference awards. Receiving first team honors were Elizabeth Williams, Izzie Englehart and Meredith Schertzinger. Elizabeth received her third league nomination. Izzie was honored by the league for the second time and Meredith the first. Fifty-one Summit athletes have been named to the all-league first team in the past seventeen seasons.
Second team honors went to senior Liz Arnold and junior Melissa Saele. Melissa was commended for the third time and Liz the second.
Placed on the honorable mention team were junior Mary Meyer and sophomores Sophie Adams and Addie Englehart. It is the first all-league commendations for all three athletes.

The Miami Valley Conference has now honored 126 Summit athletes in the past seventeen seasons.

Senior Class Profile

A team is often defined by its senior class and this year was no exception. The six seniors were essential to the success the team enjoyed. The class of 2012 includes Liz Arnold, Mary Bathon, Sam Meder, Sarah Oltman, Katie Voytek, and Sara-Kate Wiser. Over their careers, the seniors accounted for 14 varsity letters, they have played in 217 varsity matches, starting 138 scored 25 goals, 2 game winning, assisted 12 goals, totaled 62 points, made 167 saves and recorded 26 shutouts. Their experience and diversity will be difficult to replace. Liz and Sarah each earned four letters, SK earned three. Liz has committed to play at Emory University next season and Sarah hopes to play lacrosse. SK has been a valuable part-time starter, parttime sub, always doing what is asked by the coaches and never complaining. Mary and Katie each earned their first varsity letters. Each settled into reserve roles this season playing well off the bench when the opportunity arrived. They also displayed tremendous leadership in the daily training sessions becoming great role models for the younger players. Sam dealt with injuries through the season, but was a constant presence displaying the importance of what it means to be a member of the team. All six helped establish a new legacy with the state title.

Team Awards

Team awards will be announced following the season ending banquet.

Alumnae News

Two graduates have met with athletic success in college and one returned home.
Jessica Park, a 2005 graduate, returned to Summit and served as head JV coach.
JP earned four varsity letters from Wheeling Jesuits and was twice named an all-league player. Under her guidance, the JV squad finished 8-5-2. Tess Akgunduz, a 2010 graduate, is in her second season at Eastern Kentucky University. She helped lead her team to a second place finish in the OVC. Anna Albi, also a 2010 grad, started every game and played every minute in goal for Carnegie Mellon. At the end of the season she was named all-UAA honorable mention. Anna recorded five shutouts and had a goals against average of 1.25. Her team showed confidence in her by selecting her as team captain for her junior season. Tess and Anna were two of more than a dozen soccer alumnae who traveled to cheer on the team at the state finals in Columbus.

Sectional and District semi-final matches

The first three matches saw many goals for Summit and few scoring chances for the three opponents as the Knights outscored the three teams 15-0. Summit keepers Liz Arnold and Abby Semler were only forced to make two saves in the three matches as the Izzie Englehart led defense dominated in all the games. Eight different players scored goals and seven assisted in the contests against Roger Bacon, Reading and Clermont Northeastern.

The state opening match against Roger Bacon saw twenty-two players play and were led by Meredith Schertzinger’s 2 goals and 2 assists. The highlight of the match was Sophie Adam’s first career goal on a PK. It also marked the first goal and assist on the season for sister Ellie Adams in only her third game.

The Reading match was the last game on Williams Field for the seniors. While none pointed in the match, all six took the field for the last time. Mary Meyer led the attack with 2 goals and an assist. Ellie Adams scored for the second consecutive game, this time on a head ball assisted by Addie Englehart. The Knights were credited for an amazing 57 shots on the night. Abby Semler made her first career appearance and was credited with her first varsity shutout and win.

The district semi-final match at New Richmond versus CNE proved to be more difficult. The Knights could only muster five shots on frame in the first 37 minutes, all easily handled by the keeper. It was Amauria Campbell that changed the pace of the game. Her insertion off the bench ignited the attack and led to a tripping penalty on Elizabeth Williams with 3:31 remaining in the first half. Schertzinger converted the PK, her third of the tournament. Still, in second half, Summit could not begin to put the match away until goals by Williams and Schertzinger with 13 minutes remaining. Campbell accented her terrific game with a break-away goal off a feed from Meyer, her third consecutive game with an assist. The tournament was going to get much more difficult now.

District Finals vs. Hamilton Badin

Summit entered 2-7-2 all-time against Badin and had not beaten them since 2001, Coach Fee’s first season. Badin has been the most decorated team out of Southwest Ohio in the past decade winning three state titles, all under the direction of current Summit assistant coach Keith Harring. He was conflicted coaching against his former team, but was determined to lead Summit to the title. His pre-game speech to the team talked about relaxing and enjoying the moment. His rendition of Katy Perry’s Firework in the locker
room had the girls ready to play.

The match was very closely played and stats bear this out. Summit finished with
seven shots on frame while Liz Arnold was forced to make a career high 12 saves. The
difference in the game was one goal which came in an incredible sequence.
Melissa Saele won the ball on a tackle, turned from pressure and passed backward
to Mary Meyer. She one-timed a hooking, left-footed pass into the path of a streaking
Emily Wiser. Wiser took the ball, turned and beat two defenders passing the ball to
Meredith Schertzinger who finished the pass with only :46 seconds left in the half.
Several hundred fans cheered the Knights to victory in the second half. It was the first
District final appearance since 2006 and the programs first District title since 1999.

Regional Semi-final vs. Mariemont

Freshman Emily Wiser had been quiet earlier in the tournament and if the Badin
game assist signaled her coming out party, the Mariemont match was the celebration of
the season. Wiser finished the game with a goal and an assist, matching the effort of
Ellie Adams, also celebrating a definitive announcement that she had fully recovered
from ACL surgery in the off season.

The pre-game focused on Mariemont’s romp through the first three games of the
tournament against weak opponents. The team was told to take advantage of the fact they
had not seen our speed of play. It took only 21 seconds to prove this when a slotted pass
from Wiser to Adams found the back of the net. Mariemont tied the match early in the
second half. It was the first goal allowed by Summit in 372 minutes of tournament play.
But Adams and Wiser paired again when Adams passed to Wiser beating the right back
and the keeper with a game winning shot. Liz Arnold finished with seven saves. Summit
had never won this match in program history and advanced to play in the Regional final
for the first time.

Regional Final vs. Madeira

The match against Madeira at Hamilton signaled the first ever appearance in the
regional final for Summit. Coach Fee entered the game with a personal record of 2-10
against Coach Brady and had lost 10 straight. Madeira was coming off a state
championship season and was determined to return to the final four.
Earlier in the season, Madeira defeated Summit 1-0 in a game neither team
generated much offense—Madeira with two shots on goal and Summit only one. The
regional final had a little more action in front of the nets, but the score was in favor of
Summit this time 1-0.

A half-time score of 0-0 saw equal stats, three shots and three saves for each
team. Much of Summit’s offense came from the defense as Addie Englehart and Melissa
Saele recorded the shots on goal. The half time talk focused on getting deeper drives into
the corners and driving the end lines in hope of either shots or corners. This eventually
proved to be the difference as Summit earned a corner in the 22 minute of the second
half.

Meredith Schertzinger took the corner from the right side. An attempted clear
from all-state defender Liesl Hartz deflected to Elizabeth Williams. She headed the ball
backwards overt the charging keeper for the game winning goal. The win was not sealed
however until Liz Arnold made a diving save with five seconds remaining. Another
celebration ensued with her punt. Summit was advancing to the state final four.

State Semi-final vs. Bishop Fenwick

The return to Hamilton High was for a chance to head to Columbus for the state
finals. The weather was going to make it difficult with reported 35 MPH winds. Five
bus-loads of students braved the weather. Summit played with the wind but could not
strike until :19 left in the first half when Izzie Englehart lofted a 40 yard bomb over the
head of the keeper. This enabled Summit to enter the second half with a much needed
one goal cushion and a chance to defend with a lead.

Fenwick was certain to use the wind in the second half, but it was Summit who
struck first when Elizabeth Williams scored with 19 minutes remaining. Fenwick kept
pushing and was able to score twice to send the game to overtime.
The team had played well into the wind and had to again to start the overtime.
They were determined to keep the ball on the ground. This strategy worked when they
linked passes from Ellie Adams to Mary Meyer to an overlapping Addie Englehart. Her
shot was deflected (reflected?) to a waiting Williams who finished the game winning shot
with 4:32 remaining.

Hundreds of students rushed the field to celebrate with the team. The tournament
run was going to Columbus for the first ever Division III finals.

State Finals vs. Shaker Heights Laurel

Winning the state finals is something very few will ever get to experience.
Still fewer can say they played in the state finals. The Knights played so well in the final
game that 21 players took the field. Meredith Schertzinger capped a great tournament
with two goals and an assist in the finals, totaling 7 goals and 5 assists in the 8 games.
Emily Wiser opened the scoring in the first half. Elizabeth Williams scored for the third
consecutive game and Addie Englehart capped the scoring with a laser shot from 30
yards out.

But more important than the on field action are the memories created. Each player
and coach will remember something different.

Some of these include training at Capital, staying in the hotel, prepping in the
Crew locker room, running onto the field in front of the fans, the World Cup style
walkout and player introductions, the medal and trophy presentations, celebrating with
the Hertzels on the field, bowing to the fans, returning to campus and celebrating together
as a family at the Boat House. The celebration will continue. There are plans for rings,
the hanging of the team picture in the gymnasium and the arrival of the state t-shirts and
sweatshirts. But nothing can replace the memory of winning the state championship.